Properties of Silicon

Silicon is a group 14 element. It is in the same periodic group as carbon, but

chemically behaves distinctly from all of its group counterparts. Silicon shares the
bonding versatility of carbon, with its four valence electrons, but is otherwise a
relatively inert element. However, under special conditions, silicon be made to be a
good deal more reactive. Silicon exhibits metalloid properties, is able to expand its
valence shell, and is able to be transformed into a semiconductor; distinguishing it
from its periodic group members.
Quick Reference Table:
Symbol

Si

Atomic Number

14

Group

14 (Carbon Family)

Electron Configuration

[Ne]3s23p2

Atomic Weight

28.0855 g

Density

2.57 g/mL

Melting Point

1414oC

Boiling Point

3265oC

Oxidation States

4, 3, 2, 1, -1, -2, -3, -4

Electronegativity

1.90

Stable Isotopes

28Si 29Si 30Si

Thermal conductivity

149 Wm1K1

Reaction of silicon with Air

The surface of lumps of silicon is protected by a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, SiO 2. This
renders silicon more or less inert to further oxidation by air even up to about 900C. After this,
reaction with oxygen in the air gives silicon dioxide. At temperatures above about 1400C, silicon
reacts with nitrogen, N2, in the air as well as oxygen, to form the silicon nitrides SiN and Si 3N4.
Si(s) + O2(g) SiO2(s)
2Si(s) + N2(g) 2SiN(s)
3Si(s) + 2N2(g) Si3N4(s)
Reaction of Silicon with water
The surface of lumps of silicon is protected by a very thin layer of silicon dioxide, SiO 2. This
renders silicon more or less inert to water and even steam.

Reaction of Silicon with Halogens

Silicon reacts vigorously with all the halogens to form silicon tetrahalides. So, it reacts with
fluorine, F2, chlorine, Cl2, bromine, I2, and iodine, I2, to form respectively silicon(IV) fluoride,
SiF4, silicon(IV) chloride, SiCl4, silicon(IV) bromide, SiBr4, and silicon(IV) iodide, SiI4. The
reaction with fluorine takes place at room temperature but the others requiring warming over
300C.
Reaction of Silicon with Acids
Silicon does not react with most acids under normal conditions but is dissolved by hydrofluoric
acid, HF, a reaction apparently driven by the stability of the Si(IV) fluoride complex [SiF6]2-.
Si(s) + 6HF(aq) [SiF6]2-(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2H2(g)
Reaction of Silicon with Bases
Silicon is attacked by bases such as aqueous sodium hydroxide to give silicates, highly complex
species containing the anion [SiO4]4-.
Si(s) + 4NaOH(aq) [SiO4]4-(aq) + 4Na+(aq) + 2H2(g)